When we pray as Jews, we create a sacred space — turning our backs to the door, closing our eyes, and tuning out the sounds of the world. It’s in that space, and spaces like it across all faiths, that we must trust the world the most.
Today our hearts are with Michigan and Temple Israel, a place with deep connections for many in our staff and movement, and with all American Jews. We are relieved to hear that all staff and children are safe.
We're also grateful for the immediate support and solidarity we've seen from our neighbors, both onsite and online. We’re especially thankful for the Iraqi-American country club who took in the synagogue's preschoolers and assured the parents, “We’re all family. We’ll do anything for you whenever you need it.”1
Tweet from Abbas Alawieh, Detroit Jews for Justice board member2
We are not alone, and we refuse to be divided from our neighbors. As our friends at Detroit Jews for Justice shared,
To everyone in need of community and care, please reach for us and one another. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their places of worship. Thank you to our partners and comrades who have reached out to offer support. We feel your hands at our back and will continue to build relationships and networks of care to create safety and solidarity for all of us in Metro Detroit.2
We know that some in power will use this attack to fan the flames of division — antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab bigotry. But our communities must remain in solidarity.
Just as we reject Jewish people being targeted for the actions of others, we reject collective punishment in the wake of this, and any, attack. And we are clear that this attack should not, under any circumstances, be used as any justification to reopen the Department of Homeland Security without first securing funding cuts for ICE and Border Patrol and meaningful restrictions on these agencies’ conduct.
As Shabbat arrives, I am grateful to be in this beloved community together, building a future where we can close our eyes in prayer and open them to a safer world.
Shabbat Shalom from all of us at Bend the Arc,
Jamie Beran
CEO, Bend the Arc
